Ceiling lamp fixture and continuous mounting arrangements therefor



E. F. GUTH, JR CEILING LAMP FI 2,559,424 XTURE AND CONTINUOUS July3,1951

MOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR Filed May 25, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 July3, 1951 E. F. GUTH, JR

CEILING LAMP FIXTURE AND CONTINUOUS MOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 26, 1949 'I/IIIIIIA v Patented July 3, 1951CEILING LAMP FIXTURE AND CONTINUOUS MOUNTING ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR EdwinF. Guth, J12, Ladue, Mo., assignor to The Edwin F. Guth Company, St.Louis, Mo., a corpora-tionof Missouri Application May 26, 1949, SerialNo. 95,402

This invention relates to ceiling lamp fixtures, more particularly tosuch fixtures for fluorescent lamps or the like, and to continuousend-to-end mounting arrangements therefor.

Briefly, theinvention relates to a ceiling lamp fixture for fluorescentlamps particularly adapted for quick mounting in multiple with adjacentfixtures mounted continuously end-to-end in abutting relation, and modesof continuously mounting the fixtures of the invention. In general, thefixture comprises an elongate lamp-supporting member which is providedat least at one end with an eye for receiving a ceiling-mountedsupporting member in such manner that the abutting ends of two adjacentfixtures in a suspended mounting arrangement may be carried by a singlesupporting member extending through the adjacent eyes of the twoadjacent fixtures. These eyes also enable the fixtures to be quicklymounted in a ceiling mounting arrangement by means of ceiling clipshaving tongues which extend through the eyes. Openings are provided inthe ends of the fixtures to receive supporting members and wires. Otherfeatures will be .in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope ofthe application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which seV- eral of various possibleembodiments of the invention are illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a ceiling lamp fixture embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the Fig. 1 fix- I Fig. 9 is an enlargedtransverse vertical section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. '7

Fig. 10 is a horizontal section ta en on line llnofFig.8; and

11 Claims. (Cl. 240-51.11)

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section illustrating a continuous ceilingmounted arrangement for a plurality of the Fig. 1 fixtures.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

First referring to Figs. 1-5, a ceiling lamp fixture embodying thisinvention is generally designated I. The fixture is shown to comprise alamp-supporting elongate sheet metal channel member 3 having end plates5 forming walls closing its ends. These plates have flanges I and areattached to the ends of the channel as by spot welding the flanges tothe channel. Each plate has a socket-carrying portion 9 wider than thechannel and extending crosswise below the channel. On portion 9 is asocket-carrying bridge l0. Sockets II for the ends of fluorescent lampsL are fixed to the socket-carrying bridges I0. Within the channel may bemounted the usual ballast (not shown) for the lamps. At I2 is shown areflector closing the bottom of channel 3. The flange 1 of each endplate5 is discontinuous at a gap l3 where it overlies the top wall l5 of thechannel. The gaps are located centrally with respect to the width of thechannel. The top wall I 5 of the channel is provided at its ends at gapsI3 with generally semi-circular knockouts l'l adapted to be readilyremoved to provide generally semi-circular notches [9 in the ends of thetop wall. Each end plate 5 has a generally semi-circular notch 2| at itsupper edge providing an opening into the channel. The notches oropenings 2| are centrally located with respect to the width of thechannel, as are the knockouts l1, so that the openings 2| open into thenotches H! which result from the removal of the knock outs.

Adjacent each end of the top wall l5 of the channel, spaced inward fromand in longitudinal alignment with the openings I9, portions of the topwall are struck inward to form generally flat U-shaped loops 23extending transversely of the channel. These loops form eyes within thechannel under its top wall l5 which open longitudinally of the channelin longitudinal alignment with the knockouts I! '(and notches l9) andthe openings 2| in the end plates or walls 5. Spaced inward from and inlongitudinal alignment with the eyes, the top wall is provided withcircular knockouts 25 adapted to be readily removedto provide circularapertures 21.

Figs. 6-9 illustrate acontinuous end-to-end suspended mountingarrangement of this invention for two of the above-described lampfixtures I. As shown, the two fixtures are carried by a central hangergenerally designated 3| and two end hangers each generally designated33. The central hanger 3| constitutes a common support for the abuttingends of the two fixtures. Each hanger 3| and 33 comprises a tubularhanger stem 35-suspendedfrom a ceiling-mounted G shaped bracket 31. Thisbracket has a bifurcated lower arm 39 receiving a headed tubular screwfastener 4| threaded in the upper end of the stem 35. A bolt 43 extendsupward through the upper arm 45 of the bracket,. being'retained inassembled relation with this arm by a nut 4'1. The bolt 43 is providedto receive the usual screw threaded fastener (not shown) for attachmentto the usual ceiling fitting. The bracket 31 is housed in the usual cup49, the latter being fixed to the bracket by means of a screw 50extending through the bottom of the member 49 and threaded through thelower bracket arml'39.

The abutting ends of the two fixtures are supported by a horizontal barattached at its center to: the lower end of the stem 35 of thecentral-hanger 3| by means ofa headed tubular screw fastener 53extending through an aperture in 'the bar and threaded in the lower "endof the stem; The lower end of the stem is received in the circularopening formed by the notches M in the abutting ends of the top walls ofthe channels 3 of the two fixtures. The openings 2| inthe abutting endplates 5 of the two fixtures accommodate thehead of the fastener 53-.The bar 5| :extends longitudinally under the top walls +5 through theeyes 23 adjacent the abutting ends of thetwo fixtures, the ends of thetopwalls resting on the bar. Screw fasteners 55- may be threaded intoapertures in the bar outward of the eyes to-lock the fixtures in place.

The outer ends of the two fixtures are supported by the end hangers 33.These are located in vertical alignment with the openings 21 provided byremoval of the knockouts 25. Headed screw threaded tubular fasteners '51are inserted through the openings 21 and threaded into the lower ends ofthe tubular stems 35 of the hangers 33;,the top walls l5 of the fixturesbearing on the heads of the fasteners.

With the above-described mounting system, installation of a row offixtures in end-to-end abutting relation may be quickly accomplished.Only -one hanger 33 is required to support the abutting ends of twoadjacent fixtures. The other end of any one fixture may be supported asby .ahanger 33 and a fastener '51 or,'where there are more than twofixtures, by another hanger 3| and a bar 5|. Wires may be led into thefixtures at their abutting ends through the tubular fastener -4|:, thetubular stem: '35, the tubular fastener 53 and the openings 2| in thabutting endplates- 5 of the fixtures.

Fig. 11 illustrates 'a continuous end-to-end ceiling mountingarrangement for a plurality of theabove-described lamp fixtures. Asshown, .the fixtures are supported by clips 6| which are fastened to theceiling at spaced intervals corresponding tothespacing of the inwardlystruck portions of the top walls 15- of the fixtures and have downwardlyoffset, horizontally extending tongues '63- which extend 'under the topwalls through the eye openings defined by the loops 23'. The tongues allextend in the same direction. The fixtures may be quickly mounted oneafter another after installation ofthe clips simply by sliding. themendwise to enter the 'tongues 63 4 in the eye openings. Screw fasteners65 may be threaded in apertures in the ends of the tongues to lock thefixtures in place. The tongues preferably are offset downward a distancegreater than the thickness of the top walls of the fixtures so thatthere is some space S between the top walls and the. ceiling. This makesit possible to ceiling mount the fixtures even though the ceiling issomewhat uneven without distorting the Knockouts I1 and 25 are used toclose the notches Hi and apertures 21 so that if any of the latter arenot required in the installation, they remain closed to keep dust fromsettling into the fixture. It will be understood that, aside from this,they might be omitted.

Inview of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a-limitingsense.

I claim:

1. A ceiling lamp fixture for fluorescent lamps or the like comprisingan elongate lamp-supporting member having. end plates carrying socketsfor supporting .a lamp under the member, said lamp-supporting memberbeing provided adjacent its ends on its under side with longitudinallyaligned support-receiving eyes which openv longitudinally of said memberand also having notches at its respective ends in longitudinal alignmentwith the eyes, said end plates having-openings longitudinally alignedwith the eyes and openmg into said notches, the opening and eye at eachend of said lamp-supporting member being adapted for the reception of asupporting element inserted end-wise through the-opening and the eye,and the notch at each end of said member being adapted to accommodate ahanger carrying said element.

2. .A ceiling lamp fixture for fluorescent lamps or the like comprisingan elongate sheet metal lamp-supporting member having end platescarrying sockets for supporting a lamp under the member, saidlamp-supporting member being provided adjacent its ends on its underside with longitudinally aligned support-receiving eyes which openlongitudinally of said member and also having knockouts at itsrespective ends adapted'to be readily removed to provide notches inlongitudinal alignment with the eyes, said end Walls havingopeningslongitudinally aligned with the eyes and opening into the notches, theopening and eye at each end of said lamp-supporting "member beingadapted for the reception of a supporting element .inserted endwisethrough the opening and the eye, and the notch at each end of saidmember being adapted to accommodate a hanger carrying said element.

3. A ceiling lamp fixture for fluorescent lamps or the like comprising achannel adapted to be mounted with the channel opening downward, endwalls closing the ends of said channel and carrying sockets forsupporting at least one fluorescent lamp or the like extendinglongitudinally .under the channel, said fixture having adjacent its endswithin the channel and under the top wall of the channel a pair ofsupportreceivi'ng eyes which open longitudinally of the channel, saidend walls having support-receiving openings in longitudinal alignmentwith the respective eyes, said top wall having notches at its respectiveends which open into the openings in the end walls, the opening and eyeat each end of said channel being adapted for the reception of asupporting element inserted endwise through the opening and the eye, andthe notch at each end of the channel being adapted to accommodate ahanger carrying said element.

4. A ceiling lamp fixture for fluorescent lamps or the like comprising asheet metal channe adapted to be mounted with the channel openingdownward, end walls closing the ends of said channel and carryingsockets for supporting at least one fluorescent lamp or the likeextending longitudinally under the channel, said fixture having adjacentits ends within the channel and under the top Wall of the channel a pairof support-receiving eyes which open longitudinally of the channel, saidend walls having support-re ceiving openings in longitudinal alignmentwith the respective eyes, said top wall having knockcuts at itsrespective ends adapted to be readily removed to provide notches whichopen into the openings in the end walls, the opening and eye at each endof said channel being adapted for the reception of a supporting elementinserted end- Wise through the opening and the eye, and the notch ateach end of the channel being adapted to accommodate a hanger carryingsaid element.

5. A ceiling lamp fixture as set forth in claim 4 wherein the eyes areformed by integral portions of the top wall of the channel struck fromthe wall to form generally U-shaped loops.

6. A ceiling lamp fixture as set forth in claim 4 wherein the top Wallis provided with knockouts spaced inward from the respective eyesadapted to be readily removed to form apertures in the top wall inlongitudinal alignment with the eyes.

'7. A continuous suspended mounting arrangement for at least two ceilinglamp fixtures, each of which comprises a channel adapted to be mountedwith the channel opening downward, end walls closing the ends of saidchannel and carrying sockets for supporting at least one fluorescentlamp or the like extending longitudinally under the channel, eachfixture having adjacent its ends within the channel and under the topwall of the channel a pair of supportreceiving eyes which openlongitudinally of the channel, said end walls having support-receivingopenings in longitudinal alignment with the respective eyes, said topwall having notches at its respective ends which open into the openingsin the end walls, said fixtures being arranged end-to-end in abuttingrelation, a supporting member extending downward from the ceilingthrough the opening formed by the notches in the adjacent ends of thetop walls of the fixtures, a horizontal bar carried at the lower end ofsaid supporting member and extending through the openings in theabutting end walls of the fixtures and through the adjacent eyes of thefixtures, and means for supporting the other ends of the fixtures.

8. A multiple ceiling lamp fixture arrangement as set forth in claim 7wherein the bar extends completely through the eyes, and whereinfasteners are attached to the bar at its ends which extend through theeyes to lock the fixtures in place.

9. A continuous ceiling mounting arrangement for ceiling lamp fixtures,each of which comprises a sheet metal channel adapted to be mounted withthe channel opening downward, end walls closing the ends of said channeland carrying sockets for supporting at least one fluorescent lamp or thelike extending longitudinally under the channel, each fixture havingadjacent its ends within the channel and under the top wall of thechannel a pair of support-receiving eyes which open longitudinally ofthe channel, said eyes being formed by integral portions of the top wallof the channel struck from the wall to form generally U-shaped loops,said fixtures being arranged end-to-end in abutting relation, and aplurality of ceiling mounted clips spaced at intervals corresponding tothe spacing of the eyes having downwardly offset horizontal tongues allextending in the same direction, said tongues extending under the topwalls of the channels through the eye openings.

10. A continuous ceiling mounting arrangement for lamp fixtures as setforth in claim 9 wherein the tongues are offset a distance greater thanthe thickness of the top walls of the fixtures so that there is somespace between the top walls and the ceiling.

11. A continuous ceiling mounting arrangement for lamp fixtures as setforth inclaim 9 wherein fasteners are attached to the ends of thetongues which extend through the eye openings to lock the fixtures inplace.

EDWIN F. GUTH, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,299,870 Arras Oct. 27, 19422,383,007 Maurette Aug. 21, 1945 2,413,505 Kilduff et al Dec. 31, 1946

